How to Repair Veneer Cabinets

By Kimberly Johnson Updated September 26, 2017

Veneer is one of the most common wood products on the market because it's easy to manufacture and low-cost for consumers. Veneer, though, is easily damaged by heat, water and extreme changes in temperature. If you have a veneer cabinet with visible damage but do not want to get rid of it, consider repairing it instead. In most cases, you can make the fix with a little wood glue and other household tools.

Loose Veneer

Place a towel over the loose piece of veneer and put a hot iron on top of the towel. Allow the iron to sit for 20 to 30 seconds to reactivate the veneer glue.

Apply wood glue if the veneer is still loose. Pull up the loose piece slightly and put the glue between the veneer and the underlying wood.

Place a heavy object on top of the veneer and allow it to dry for six to eight hours.

Blistered or Buckled Veneer

Cut a narrow slit in the middle of the buckled area with a razor blade. Use a knife blade or the edge of the razor to gently raise one edge of the slit.

Squirt wood glue into the hole and allow the wood to fall back into place. Wipe away excess glue from the top of the veneer.

Place a heavy object on the veneer and let it dry for six to eight hours

Replacing Badly Damaged Veneer

Cut a piece of cardboard into a square that is slightly larger than the damaged area. Lay the cardboard on top of the damaged area and cut around it into the veneer using a razor blade.

Slide a putty knife under the damaged veneer section to pop it off the counter.

Sand down the section of the counter that was under the veneer to remove as much of the old glue as possible.

Use the cardboard square as a template to cut a section of new veneer, which you can find at a home improvement store. Put the new piece on the cabinet and trim with a razor until it fits perfectly.

Apply wood glue to the bottom of the new veneer and press it into place. Wipe away excess glue and place a heavy object on top of the veneer as the glue dries.

Things You Will Need

Razor blade

Putty knife

Wood glue

Veneer piece

Towel

Iron

Sandpaper

Cardboard

Tip

When replacing a section of veneer, always cut with the grain so that the cut lines will not be as visible once applied to the cabinet.

References

About the Author

Kimberly Johnson is a freelance writer whose articles have appeared in various online publications including eHow, Suite101 and Examiner. She has a degree in journalism from the University of Georgia and began writing professionally in 2001.